HC query on Sanjay parole

Mumbai, Feb. 25 (PTI): Bombay High Court pulled up the Maharashtra government today for showing “extra diligence” in the constant extensions of Sanjay Dutt’s parole and discriminating between him and other 1993 Bombay blasts convicts.

The court directed the state’s chief secretary to form a panel to suggest amendments to the rules and procedure related to screening of parole and furlough applications.

“This type of diligence is not shown for all convicts. Why does the state government adopt a casual approach when the convict is a common man? ” a division bench of Justices N.H. Patil and V.L. Achliya said while hearing a PIL against extension of parole to Dutt.

The bench was also critical of the fact that while granting Dutt parole, the authority had imposed a bond of only Rs 5,000 while it is much higher in other cases.